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Author Topic: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?  (Read 6013 times)

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george garside

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Re: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?
« Reply #40 on: May 09, 2019, 11:11:51 AM »

the sole  purpose of 'straps' , be in thumb strap, single shoulder strap, 2 shoulder straps  or 2 plus backstrap is , whilst  taking 'comfort' into account, to keep the keyboard  in exactly the same position relative to the  player whilst playing

this will vary from person to person but any set up that does not  keep the keyboard  steady and in a good position leaves scope for experimentation

george

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Lester

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Re: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?
« Reply #41 on: May 09, 2019, 11:22:23 AM »

I must be older than all you 'baler twine' people, I call in 'binder twine'  (:)

Andy Next Tune

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Re: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?
« Reply #42 on: May 09, 2019, 12:10:47 PM »

Trouble is, baler twine's  all red and plastic now, not the coarse light brown rope that held together the farmers coats..... and much else on the farm!
Q
I seem to remember Tony Hall's baler twine 'straps' were colourful polypropylene :)
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Helena Handcart

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Re: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?
« Reply #43 on: May 09, 2019, 12:18:11 PM »

Each to their own.

Unhelpful though it may first appear to say it but this is really the crux of the matter. As far as straps are concerned it really is a matter of whatever suits you best. The hard part is in working this out in the first place. During my early months of playing I remember straying from the paths of righteousness into one-strap territory, many, many adjustments of straps, discomfort, dissatisfaction and then trying again.

The good news is that not only do you eventually work out what strap arrangement works best for you, you also become more flexible in being able to play using other strap configurations when the need arises.
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Chris Brimley

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Re: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?
« Reply #44 on: May 09, 2019, 12:56:01 PM »

Lots of contributors have been here before, many years ago!

Yes, George is right (except that he hasn't added in my system :) ), when he says:  'the sole  purpose of 'straps' , be it thumb strap, single shoulder strap, 2 shoulder straps  or 2 plus backstrap is , whilst  taking 'comfort' into account, to keep the keyboard  in exactly the same position relative to the  player whilst playing.'

If you sit down, I still commend the tripoint idea for any player, because it is comfortable and rigid.  My playing advanced very significantly by adopting it.

If you need to play standing up, you will have difficulty, because you can't control the position of the RHS of the box adequately, whatever you do (controversial but true!)  I have experimented with a figure five shaped metal brace that goes round your waist and the box RHS, and it works but it bends your spine.  I think the best answer is the tripoint and a right foot high support, such as two hard box cases on top of each other.

Playing a piano accordion is obviously different from playing a button accordion because you play long passages of all push or all pull, and you can see PA players making the change.  You need a better system for an in-out instrument.
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Lester

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Re: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?
« Reply #45 on: May 09, 2019, 01:09:18 PM »

You could, of course, use on of these and not need any straps


Helena Handcart

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Re: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?
« Reply #46 on: May 09, 2019, 01:17:57 PM »

You could, of course, use on of these and not need any straps




You can go off people you know.
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Steve C.

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Re: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?
« Reply #47 on: May 09, 2019, 02:47:44 PM »

Steve, serious as the grave. 

This PW, my first box bought new in the late '70's is pretty much the only box I play outdoors or loan out. 

I keep it in the Hohner rucksack, usually.  "Pokerworking" paint finish seems to be pretty durable. (but you are right Holmes, close inspection does show some minor wear and tear).

Point I was making, mostly, was that delrin D sliders are "relatively" safe.

Related to the strap issue: I cannot find it, but isn't there a great, great video of a solo morris melodeon player playing and dancing at the same time?  I mean, really really big moves, all around the stage?  I feel like he might have been recently deceased, for some reason, as I remember it...

Was trying to find what strap setup HE used!
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baz parkes

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Re: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?
« Reply #48 on: May 09, 2019, 02:58:25 PM »

Steve, serious as the grave. 

This PW, my first box bought new in the late '70's is pretty much the only box I play outdoors or loan out. 

I keep it in the Hohner rucksack, usually.  "Pokerworking" paint finish seems to be pretty durable. (but you are right Holmes, close inspection does show some minor wear and tear).

Point I was making, mostly, was that delrin D sliders are "relatively" safe.

Related to the strap issue: I cannot find it, but isn't there a great, great video of a solo morris melodeon player playing and dancing at the same time?  I mean, really really big moves, all around the stage?  I feel like he might have been recently deceased, for some reason, as I remember it...

Was trying to find what strap setup HE used!

I've not got time to google but I suspect the one you're thinking of is the late lamented Dave Roberts, ex Blowzabella and all round good chap dancing Knuckledown...I may check rather than seek insurance quotes... :|glug

Yer t'is….and looking remarkably like a single strap, chap...

https://youtu.be/-rzRdgsquak

« Last Edit: May 09, 2019, 03:16:05 PM by baz parkes »
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Re: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?
« Reply #49 on: May 09, 2019, 03:36:07 PM »

Point I was making, mostly, was that delrin D sliders are "relatively" safe.

Yes I think the D-shaped sliders are probably OK. It's the type of plastic clips shown in the attachment which can cause the damage.
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Mike Hirst

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Re: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?
« Reply #50 on: May 09, 2019, 03:44:34 PM »


Yer t'is….and looking remarkably like a single strap, chap...

https://youtu.be/-rzRdgsquak


I was witness to this and can confirm single strap, also 'death grip' hold for right hand.
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Chris Brimley

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Re: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?
« Reply #51 on: May 09, 2019, 04:47:40 PM »

Haven't heard that description before, Mike:   

also 'death grip' hold for right hand.

but it's pretty accurate!
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Thrupenny Bit

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Re: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?
« Reply #52 on: May 09, 2019, 04:56:58 PM »

Yes I was there too and witnessed Dave's dancing whilst playing for himself.
It was a remarkable jig!
Q
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Steve C.

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Re: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?
« Reply #53 on: May 10, 2019, 01:03:13 PM »

Baz, that's it!  Amazing.  (my knees can feel it....  :Ph)
Steve, I hear ya.  Why would someone use the clips when you can just run the strap through the bracket?
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Tone Dumb Greg

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Re: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?
« Reply #54 on: May 10, 2019, 01:53:46 PM »


If you need to play standing up, you will have difficulty, because you can't control the position of the RHS of the box adequately, whatever you do (controversial but true!) 


It does depend on your definition of adequate. Some players seem to find two straps perfectly fine for playing standing up
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Greg Smith
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Lester

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Re: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?
« Reply #55 on: May 10, 2019, 02:04:52 PM »


If you need to play standing up, you will have difficulty, because you can't control the position of the RHS of the box adequately, whatever you do (controversial but true!) 


It does depend on your definition of adequate. Some players seem to find two straps perfectly fine for playing standing up


And some find one perfectly fine  ;)


Tone Dumb Greg

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Re: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?
« Reply #56 on: May 10, 2019, 02:08:48 PM »


If you need to play standing up, you will have difficulty, because you can't control the position of the RHS of the box adequately, whatever you do (controversial but true!) 


It does depend on your definition of adequate. Some players seem to find two straps perfectly fine for playing standing up


And some find one perfectly fine  ;)




My humble opinion: There is no wrong way. Just good ways that work for you.
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Greg Smith
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Lester

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Re: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?
« Reply #57 on: May 10, 2019, 02:12:46 PM »

My humble opinion: There is no wrong way. Just good ways that work for you.


Correct, go to the top of the class  (:)

Stiamh

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Re: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?
« Reply #58 on: May 10, 2019, 04:34:53 PM »


Yer t'is….and looking remarkably like a single strap, chap...

https://youtu.be/-rzRdgsquak


I was witness to this and can confirm single strap, also 'death grip' hold for right hand.

Excuse the thread drift, but what system of box was he playing? He likes to throw Ebs in now and again, including one at 1:20 in a pasage that sounds like D-Eb-D played in one bellows direction. Not a semitone box surely??  :o

Lester

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Re: Shoulder Strap Recommendations?
« Reply #59 on: May 10, 2019, 04:48:58 PM »



Yer t'is….and looking remarkably like a single strap, chap...

https://youtu.be/-rzRdgsquak



I was witness to this and can confirm single strap, also 'death grip' hold for right hand.


Excuse the thread drift, but what system of box was he playing? He likes to throw Ebs in now and again, including one at 1:20 in a pasage that sounds like D-Eb-D played in one bellows direction. Not a semitone box surely??  :o

Quite possibly his infamous G/D box. If not the direction of the accidentals is variable so D-Eb-D is quite possible depending on the installation
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